Chapter Thirteen - A curse? It must be a joke!

The next day we got up quite early and after a quick breakfast we went back to the mansion. We didn't talk on the way, I guess we were both busy thinking about something.

I was full of hopes and expectations. I really really wished to find a cure for my father, so meeting a good doctor made me feel so giddy. But on the other hand, I was afraid that my hopes would be dashed. I tried not to think about negative things, but it wasn't that easy.

And I felt complicated about Eiran. I wanted to keep a distance between us, so I should have been happy to be separeted from him, but my heart ached. But I pushed these feelings to the corner of my chest and concentrated on the most important thing—my father's situation.

Lord Lauviére greeted us and told us about the kidnapped people. They recorded their details and wished to help those who wanted to go home and find a new place for those who didn't. Their bodies and mentality weren't in the best shape, so they were taken care of by the Lord Laiviére's Medical Team before that.

After telling us everything, he excused himself and left because Persiana had a fever and he wanted to be by her side. A maid led Eiran to his sister and another guided me to a private room where a woman was already waiting for me.

She wore simple, clean clothes. Her black hair was tied up in a bun and her clear eyes looked straight at me. She was in her fifties but looked fit and strong.

„Lady Poitaire." She bowed. After all these years I should have gotten used to it, but I still felt strange. „My name is Maglenade and I am Lord Lauviére's chief physician."

„Thank you for meeting with me, Mrs...?" I wasn't sure how to call her.

„I've never been married, so I am miss but you can just call me Maglene." How could I call someone older than my mother so casually? It wasn't a pleasant feeling to treat the older maids like that either, but after a while I got used to it, but this was my first encounter with her. I shallowed my discomfort and faced her.

„Thank you, Maglene. Did Lord Lauviére explain why I wanted to see you?"

„He didn't say anything other than that you wanted to meet me." She answered.

„I see." I nodded. „Let's sit down first." I motioned to the couch and after I took a seat, she did too. So polite. „It's about my father. He was always strong and healthy, but one day during training he collapsed and lost consciousness."

„Was there no sign of this before?" She asked attentively.

„Nothing. He was perfectly fine." I shook my head. „At first we thought it was something small and he would get better in a short time, but his condition got worse and worse. I don't know how to describe it."

„Just tell it as you can." She encouraged me.

„Well, first he lost sensation in his toes and then it slowly started to spread up his body. It was as if he had slowly become a statue."

„Was it noticeable on his body?"

„Yes, his body colour has also changed, it became a sickly gray colour."

She didn't answer right away, she seemed to be deep in thoughts. I anxiously awaited for her diagnosis. Is this something curable? Or if it cannot be completely healed, can it be prevented from spreading further? It's selfish but I don't care if he can never stand on his legs ever again if it means he survives and lives with us. I am not ready to let go of my father's hand.

„I'm sorry to say this, my lady, but I've never heard of such a disease before." She informed me with a regretful look. „To me, it sounds more like a curse than an illness.

„A curse?" I asked back.

„I know nothing about curses except that they exist. I only mentioned them because I've never encountered such a disease before, so it's possible. I am not sure if I can be any help, but if you wish I could see your father." She offered.

The curse didn't even cross my mind. Who would do it? Of course, many people envied him because of his status, wealth, power or even because of my mother. And some despised him because of his common origin, and considered his rise through the ranks was despicable, but... Who would go that far? And anyway, people in this country didn't know anything about curses. They would need help from our enemy. So I can't just walk in there looking for someone who would lift the curse due to the enmity between our realms.

I could pretend I was from somewhere else, but if my identity was revealed,it would make things even worse. And there is no guarantee that someone would want to help, especially because of my homeland.

„I would be grateful if you could visit him," I admitted. I would feel better if there was a doctor with him.

„I will speak to my Lord and arrange my journey. If you'll excuse me..." She bowed and left the room.

I took a deep breath to fight back my tears. I had the delusion that it would be easy. I kind of believed it was an already finished story and I just did what the writer decided I should do but... What if that is not the case? Or if the author is a cruel person who would kill my father? I don't want to do what is expected of me if the result will be his death. There is no way I came into this world just to let that happen. I refuse to yield. This is still far from over.

„I didn't mean to eavesdrop, but I overheard the last part of your conversation." I flinched from the sudden voice. I raised my head and met Eiran's eyes. „I came because I wanted to talk to you before I go and..." He scratched his head awkwardly . Don't do this, please. Your image overlaps too much with someone else's.

„Don't worry about it," I reassured him. „Did you come to say goodbye?" I forced a smile on my face.

„No, that wasn't my original intention." I looked at him confused. Then why would he come for me? „I've changed my mind. Do you want to come with us?" My confusion only grew."

„Why?"

„If you want to find someone who can help you with curses, I think this is the best option. You can't be serious about going there." He looked at me like I was crazy.

„No, I didn't but..."

„Then come with me! My brother studies magic and curses, so even if he can't help, he can connect you with someone who might be a good starting point."

„But..." I had no reason to say but. I mean, he offered a solution when I was lost and had no better ideas, but still. „I don't want to be a burden to you."

„You wouldn't. It's more for me than for you. I'd love it if you'd came with me, because otherwise I would be too worried." He avoided his gaze and scratched his head.

„Are you sure?" I wanted to check.

„I've never been so sure of anything in my life." He nodded. „And I might need your help as well. Aprudeé is stubborn and won't go without the elf boy, so I'm a little afraid that I can't handle both of them at the same time." Damn! Why did he have to be like this... A knocking interrupted my thoughts. Fortunately. Lord Lauviére came into the room.

"I assume you want to leave as soon as possible." He started the conversation.

„Yes, but first I want to express my gratitude to you, my lord." Eiran bowed, but the man only waved his hand.

„Don't be so formal after all this time. I would say we helped each other, so we're equal. I would be happy if we could maintain friendship between our houses."

„As I am not the head of my family and I never will be, I cannot promise you that, but I can offer my friendship as a man." He held out his hand.

„Oh, that's even better." He shook his hand. „And that goes for you too, young lady." He turned his eyes to me. „If you hadn't reach out to Persiana first, I don't even want to imagine what would have happened to her. She wanted to meet you but she is under the weather and needs more rest." He looked heartbroken by her condition. I hope they will find a cure for her and she can go on that picnic and live a truly happy life.

„I will write to her after I got home. I would be happy if she would visit me sometimes.„

„She'll be glad to hear it. Have a safe journey and let's meet again."

We said our goodbyes and after Aprudeé and Ryenne joined us, we went back to the inn to collect our things. I was devastated but a new hope blossomed in my chest. It's still not over, I'll find a solution.